Thinking ahead for something to beat the summer doldrums? Put Touch-a-Truck, a family-friendly fundraising event for the library, on your calendar for Saturday, July 28 from 10 am to 2 pm. This is a chance for children of all ages to put their imaginations into “high gear” when they climb aboard, beep the horns, flash lights, and sound sirens as they sit in the driver’s seat of their favorite trucks. The amazing lineup includes many types of vehicles, such as emergency, utility and construction trucks.
Ticket flyers for completion are available at any circulation desk at the library or on the Friends’ website: friendsmadisonnjlibrary.org. Admission for toddlers and children up to age 12 will be $8 for advance purchases postmarked by Friday, July 21, and $10 on the day of the event. The cost for teens and adults is $5. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Proceeds benefit the local library.
Emergency vehicles will stretch down along Keep Street across from the Madison Public Library and a variety of large trucks will fill the Madison Area YMCA parking lot. The event offers low cost, fun-filled entertainment for families. Sponsored by the Friends of the Madison Public Library in cooperation with the Madison YMCA and the Rotary Club of Madison, Touch-a-Truck will take place rain or shine.
Returning this year to enchant youngsters with his magic show will be the popular magician Simon Mandal. There will be four 20-minute Simon Magic Shows held at 11:00 am, 11:30 am, 12:00 noon and 12:30 pm.
Another highlight of the event will feature Lionel “O gauge” trains running in an authentic 1928 baggage rail car. A working Morris & Essex diesel locomotive, a 1928 safety training rail car, and new and antique Madison Central Railroad memorabilia complete a display that will delight both children and adults who are kids at heart.
Touch-a-Truck will keep families happily entertained with many additional activities, including free face painting, balloon artists capable of creating any balloon idea your child can imagine, temporary tattoos and refreshments for purchase.
Support for the event is available through sponsor opportunities. Sponsorship forms are also at the library, on the Friends’ website, or can be made by a check made payable to the Friends of the Madison Public Library and mailed to 39 Keep Street, Madison, NJ 07940. Questions can be addressed at friendsmadisonnjlibrary@gmail.com.
This fundraiser will benefit special library offerings, particularly programs for children and teens, and expand book and media collections that are beyond the reach of the library’s budget. Music, movies, poetry, team competition and workshops are also popular library-sponsored family events.
(above) The Touch-a-Truck event allows children and families to get up close to a wide variety of trucks. The event will take place on July 28th.
Photo by Sylvia Luber.
